Punjab is a crucial state completely polarized by Sikh sub-nationalism.
No matter which Party is in power in Punjab it has to appease Sikh sentiments that are completely alienated from the central seat of power. Even the Punjab Congress Party in power had to bend over to the Sikh sentiments on the Kartarpur corridor question. It is astounding that a once powerful national party that lost the most powerful prime minister India ever had to Sikh assassins now is lauding the families of those very assassins dubbed as martyrs. The state dare not execute or even imprison Rajaona, a co-conspirator who was charged and convicted of the murder of the Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
The families of the assassins of Indian COAS General A. S. Vaidya are getting state subsidy as kin of "martyrs".
Anti-Muslim Hindutva largely works in the Hindu heartland of BIMARU ( Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and UP) . Maharashtra was a special case for Anti-Muslim ( synonymous with Anti-Pakistani ) hysteria but those sentiments are dormant at this time.
Pakistan should modify the following stances to appease Maratha sentiments ( and it already has on most counts).
- Drop the demand for Jinnah House on Malabar Hill for use as a consulate.
- Drop the plans for consulate in Mumbai.
- Drop plans for resuming PIA flights from Mumbai to Karachi and not request reopening the PIA office there.
- Prevent Pakistani entertainment industry workers such as actors, singers, musicians, lyricists from going to Mumbai to work in the industry there.
- Drop plans to play one day or test cricket in Mumbai or elsewhere in the state even if in the remote future the respective Cricket Boards agree.
Pakistan has implemented all the above except No. 5 which it should do immediately by a public announcement.
This will hugely enhance the Shiv Sena's prestige in the state and take the "patriotic " wind out of the BJP's sails